Healthy Snacks for an Energizing:

Snacking is essential to making sure you don’t get too hungry and end up eating far more than you intended.

Plus, the right snacks can help you stay energetic, avoid sugar crashes, and satisfy your cravings without sacrificing your health goals.

Healthy Snacks Here are some of the best healthy snacks that will give you an energy boost and keep you feeling full.

Yogurt with Almonds

Yogurt is a great source of calcium, which is important for healthy bones. Many people also like to eat yogurt plain with fresh fruit or granola as a snack.

As almonds are rich in protein and monounsaturated fats, they can provide you with sustained energy while keeping your appetite in check between meals.

Another benefit of almonds is that they’re cholesterol-free and full of vitamins such as vitamin E and K, making them incredibly good for you overall.

Not only will almonds give you longer-lasting energy between meals, but they can also help curb your hunger before it starts. They’re also extremely portable—toss some in your bag to eat on-the-go later!

Cottage Cheese & Fruit

Cottage cheese is a healthy, low-calorie, protein-rich snack that’s chock full of vitamins and minerals. It also provides a steady stream of energy as it digests.

Cottage cheese goes great with fruit like strawberries or blueberries, but you can also try other types of berries or sliced apples with cinnamon.

Mixing it up every once in a while will help keep your snack mix interesting and allow you to experience different health benefits from all of these delicious ingredients.

No matter how you combine them, try to get two or three servings per day to give yourself plenty of energy without taking in too many calories. Check out our daily portion guide here!

Nuts in a Jar

Full of protein and healthy fats, nuts are one of nature’s perfect snacks. For a quick boost that can tide you over until your next meal, make some trail mix.

Place a handful of each variety into small jars with lids (baby food jars work great) and seal. When ready to eat, simply shake up your jar and enjoy!

Avocado Toast

Tired of eating cereal and toast every morning? Spice up your breakfast routine with avocado toast. Avocado is a heart-healthy, creamy fruit packed with healthy fats, while multigrain bread provides fiber. Top it off with a little fresh salsa and you have yourself a well-rounded meal that’s both healthy and energizing.

To make your avocado toast even healthier, switch to whole wheat bread or top it off with fresh veggies like tomatoes or bell peppers instead of refined grains.

If you’re looking for something other than bread, try a piece of fruit; two slices of pineapple have about 100 calories but will leave you feeling full and energized thanks to its natural sugar content.

Overnight Oats

One of my favorite snacks to pack on road trips and in my kids’ lunches is instant oats. Just add milk or water, seal it up, and voila! Instant (and homemade) breakfast/snack ready to go.

I love Trader Joe’s Organic Overnight Oats because they are super-portable and easy to make ahead of time. I know a lot of people are skeptical about packaged instant oatmeal, but don’t knock it ‘til you try it—this stuff is a really great option!

Turkey Jerky

Turkey is not only a great source of protein, but it’s also low in fat and carbohydrates. If you’re looking to lose weight, turkey jerky is a great snack option.

Try some from Jack Link’s Wild Sockeye Salmon Jerky or their Teriyaki Turkey Jerky for a tasty boost of protein and flavor.

Peanut Butter Cups

A study in Appetite found that men who had peanut butter 20 minutes before a meal felt fuller and ate less than those who didn’t.

Researchers believe peanuts’ protein, fiber, and fat could curb hunger by taking longer to digest than other foods. Peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter) also contains antioxidants called flavonoids that help curb inflammation.

Eat peanut butter alone as a snack, spread it on celery sticks or apple slices, or pack it into an oatmeal cookie recipe (like these gluten-free ones).

And if you’re feeling brave—like adding chocolate to peanut butter always seems to make us feel—try baking with cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips. They contain more antioxidants than most dark chocolates!

Apples with Peanut Butter on Top

Apples are one of nature’s best snacks—the crunchy, juicy fruit is full of fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. As a bonus, many kinds of apples also pair wonderfully with peanut butter!

For a healthy snack, spread apple slices with 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted peanut butter; sprinkle a little cinnamon on top. Enjoy anytime of day.

Bean Salad

You’ll never find yourself in need of a snack when you have canned beans on hand. Not only are they high in protein, but they’re also packed with essential nutrients and are super versatile—you can whip up a salad or dip them in hummus to spice things up. Beans can be enjoyed year-round, too.

Just make sure to stock up when it’s cheap; they tend to skyrocket during peak seasons (like summer). To save big bucks, keep an eye out for sales at your local grocery store.

Buy dried beans that aren’t already flavored; you’ll have more choice over what goes into your dish.